USA Vs Finland 2010 Semifinal Becomes USA Rout

The USA vs Finland 2010 semifinal brought a lot of anticipation and dread. But the USA vs Finland 2010 match pretty much erased all doubt within 12 minutes. If anyone feared that the Americans would look past Finland, with a potential rematch against Canada looming, they were answered quickly. If anyone thought that the U.S. was due for a letdown, they will have to keep thinking that until Sunday. After a 6-1 thumping, the USA vs Finland 2010 semi is one of the final steps towards an America-Canada final.

As soon as America and Canada won their quarterfinal matches, everyone started dreaming that they would meet for the gold. However, they still had one more game to play before then, and the Americans didn't have a pushover in the semis. Finland got to the gold medal game in 2006, and is a frequent contender - yet they didn't look like it on this day.

13 minutes in, the USA vs Finland 2010 game was very much over. Although the Americans only had two goals against Switzerland, despite more than 40 shots, they scored three times that before the first period ended. Mikka Kiprusoff gave up four goals on seven shots before getting pulled, and then Finland gave up two more goals for good measure.

Patrick Kane led the way with two goals, while eight Americans got at least one point. While the U.S. had a balanced offensive attack, Ryan Miller got to take it easy for the second game in a row. But after having an easy time against the Swiss and the Fins, Miller may face the fire once again if Canada is next.

After the USA vs Finland 2010 semifinal, everyone now deems it inevitable that their next opponent will be Canada. At the least, if the Canadians do advance, they won't be as heavy a favorite after the impressive American victory.

Despite losing to the Americans last weekend, and despite being a sixth seed, Canada would still be the likely favorite in a rematch. But that is just one more obstacle the unlikely U.S. juggernaut would have to overcome.

As America goes on, the USA vs Finland 2010 slaughter is another disappointing end for the Fins. Despite another strong showing, they will once again fall short of their first gold medal. But the bronze medal, which they won in 1994 and 1998, is still a possibility tomorrow.

However, the entire hockey world is now focused on tonight, and on Sunday afternoon. After the USA vs Finland 2010 rout, most outside of Slovakia will root for Canada to do the same, starting at 9:30 pm est. Then, North America hopes to set up two days of hype before a US-Canada rematch on Sunday.

Sources

SI.com- "US routs Finland 6-1, will play for hockey gold"

USA TODAY- "USA rides six-goal first to rout of Finland, gold-medal game"